President of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTO C), Brian Lewis, made well on his promise to once again complete the gruelling 26.2 mile Trinidad and Tobago International Marathon (TT IM) in a bold effort to raise international awareness towards his ‘10 or more Olympic Gold Medals by 2024 Athlete and Welfare Preparation Fund campaign.
Lewis, and his able-bodied squad comprising of several high profile sporting personalities, covered the trek from St Mary’s Junction, Freeport, to the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain in just over five hours.
After completing the course, an elated Lewis revealed that the course was not as hard as the 2015 version, although he encountered some challenges along the way.
“What is interesting though is that I didn’t put in as much training as much this year so I need to figure out which method to adopt,” said a weary Lewis.
“There was a point in time where I was really struggling and I kinda questioned why I was doing this.
Coming up the Eastern Main Road, there was some traffic and the heat began to kick in. At one point, I felt miserable and frustrated and I asked myself ‘is this worth it?’. Then I remembered the athletes (Olympic) and that this is for them, to raise awareness and funding.” The former Harvard Rugby player added: “It’s tough. I think the 10 or more Olympic Gold medals by 2024 has generated some support. It depends on the accounts people and who gave to our cause today.” Meanwhile, Chief Justice Ivor Archie was also on hand to lend support to the TTO C’s initiative and urged the public to chip in and help offset costs for our 2016 Olympic hopefuls. Archie was also joined by some of his family members and representatives of the Judiciary, who took part in the relay division. The veteran judge’s leg spanned from San Juan, into Port-of-Spain, up to Woodbrook, to the finish line.
“I got involved because I really think it’s important that we show support for our athletes. We can emulate that determination and the commitment and the discipline that is involved in competing at that level.
“I think our athletes need support, not just moral support, but we need tangible support as well. Apart from this race, I’m also committing to contributing financially and I hope that the rest of Trinidad and Tobago will also contribute tangibly to the cause.” Archie also challenged his friends and colleagues to meet or surpass his $2,000 investment into the Athlete Fund.
Also going the distance alongside Lewis yesterday were Digicel Pro League chief executive officer Dexter Skeene, Olympic marksman and sergeant Roger Daniel, former national boxer Ria Ramnarine and her manager Bharat Ramoutar, soca artiste Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez, president and treasurer of the Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union Leslie Figaro and Curtis Nero.